(1) This Procedure outlines requirements at The University of Queensland (UQ) for working in confined spaces and provides information about the hazards and precautions in place at UQ to reduce the risk of harm when working in confined spaces. UQ’s legislative obligations for managing work in confined spaces are provided under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation). (2) This Procedure applies to all UQ workers on all UQ campuses and sites, including UQ controlled entities. For the purposes of this Procedure, the definition of UQ workers is broad and is intended to ensure UQ meets its responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The definition of UQ workers is provided in the appendix. (3) In addition to the requirements of this Procedure: (4) For the purposes of this Procedure, and as described in the WHS Regulation, a confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that: (5) The following requirements apply to all UQ workers proposing to conduct any work in a confined space at UQ. (6) P&F will maintain a register of confined spaces under their management or control across UQ campuses and sites. (7) Organisational Units must maintain a local register for the confined spaces under their management or control. (8) Access to confined spaces must be: (9) The risks of working in confined spaces can be high and may include loss of consciousness, impairment, injury or even death from: (10) Risk assessments for all activities involving work in confined spaces must be undertaken in UQSafe by the Organisational Unit and must address all associated risks. (11) The hierarchy of risk control must be considered for developing and implementing control measures in the risk assessment process. Refer to the Health and Safety Risk Management Procedure for more information. (12) Further guidance in conducting workplace risk assessments is available from Organisational Unit local HSW Manager or Work Health and Safety Coordinator (WHSC)). (13) UQ workers must complete a Confined Space Entry Permit that has been approved by the authority in the prescribed form. The approval authority for the permit is as follows: (14) Approved permits must be held and implemented by the Confined Space Work Supervisor at the location of the work. (15) Closed permits must be retained by the approval authority. (16) UQ will outsource all work in confined spaces that requires a trained rescuer to physically enter the confined space to undertake the rescue. These tasks will be undertaken by external contractors with expertise and appropriate emergency procedures for such tasks. (17) An Emergency Response Plan (ERP) must be developed by competent persons prior to entering a confined space. The WHS Regulation and the Code stipulate the need for emergency and rescue procedures when working in confined spaces. Consideration should be given to: (18) UQ workers that work in and around confined spaces and are responsible for installing, maintaining, using, and inspecting confined space equipment must be trained and competent. They must understand the hazards associated with the tasks, the requirements of the Confined Space Entry Permit and their associated control measures. (19) UQ workers that are required to enter confined spaces, and/or conduct confined space rescue duties, at UQ must hold certificates of competency from a nationally accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO). (20) Records of all training provided to UQ workers for working in confined spaces must be maintained by the Organisational Unit. (21) In confined spaces with poor ventilation, a hazardous atmosphere may exist or may develop quickly. UQ workers must not enter a confined space unless the atmosphere has been determined as safe. This may require atmospheric testing and continuous monitoring. Further information about managing the risk of hazardous atmospheres in confined spaces is provided in the Confined Spaces Management Plans. (22) Hot work must not be undertaken in a confined space without a Hot Work Permit that has been approved by the approval authority prescribed in the permit. The permit’s approval authority is responsible for ensuring the safe execution of any hot work and all requirements of the permit are implemented. The approval authority has the ability to enforce the requirements of the permit. (23) Where work is being undertaken in or around a confined space, and there is a risk of inadvertent entry from others to the confined space, the area must be controlled by warning signage and/or barriers. (24) Barricading and signage must be used to ensure, as far as practicable, all non-essential personnel and equipment is kept clear of any confined space work area. (25) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used where determined to be an appropriate risk control measure, either in combination with other controls or as a stand-alone measure, through the risk assessment process or where stated in regulations. Refer to the Personal Protective Equipment Procedure for more information. (26) Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) must be worn in situations where there is no exposure standard for an airborne contaminant. RPE refers to a range of breathing equipment, including air-supplied and self-contained breathing apparatus. The appropriate RPE should be based on the level and type of contaminants and the work to be done. (27) Heads of Organisational Units are responsible for: (28) Managers and Supervisors are responsible for: (29) Confined space work Supervisors must be trained and competent as required in the ‘Competency and Training’ provisions above of this Procedure and are responsible for ensuring: (30) Health, Safety and Wellness Managers (HSW Managers) and Work Health and Safety Coordinators (WHSCs) are responsible for: (31) Local HSW Managers are the approval authority for confined space permits under the control of the Organisational Unit. (32) UQ workers conducting work in confined spaces are responsible for: (33) Property and Facilities Division (P&F) is responsible for: (34) P&F Client Facilities Managers are responsible for managing confined spaces within their precincts including: (35) P&F Client Facilities Managers are the approval authority for confined space permits under the control of P&F. (36) Health, Safety and Wellness Division (HSW Division) is responsible for: (37) The Occupational Hygiene Advisor, within the HSW Division, will provide advice to Organisational Units on confined space identification, procedure preparation, training, ventilation, and testing arrangements. (38) Property and Facilities Division is responsible for reviewing this Procedure as required, in collaboration with the HSW Division, to ensure its accuracy, relevance and effectiveness. Review of the procedure will also be informed by feedback from Heads of Organisational Units, Supervisors and Managers. (39) HSW Division will conduct periodic audits of Organisational Unit compliance with this Procedure, which may include checking: (40) Local HSW Managers and WHSCs will conduct regular inspections (at least annually) to review appropriate risk controls. (41) HSW Manager and Organisational Unit Managers and Supervisors will ensure:Confined Spaces Management Procedure
Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
Scope
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Section 2 - Process and Key Controls
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Section 3 - Key Requirements
Confined Space Register
Risk Assessment
Confined Space Entry Permit
Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
Competency and Training
Hazardous Atmospheres
Hot Work
Barricading and Signage
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Heads of Organisational Units
Managers and Supervisors
Confined Space Work Supervisors
HSW Managers and Work Health and Safety Coordinators
UQ Workers
Property and Facilities Division (P&F)
Client Facilities Managers
Health, Safety and Wellness Division
Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
Section 6 - Recording and Reporting
Top of PageSection 7 - Appendix
Definitions
Term
Definition
Competent person
A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience, or a combination of these, the training and knowledge and skills to carry out that task.
Hazardous atmosphere
An atmosphere is a hazardous atmosphere if:
• the atmosphere does not have a safe oxygen level; or
• the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere increases the fire risk; or
• the concentration of flammable gas, vapour, mist, or fumes exceeds 5% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) for the gas, vapour, mist or fumes; or
• a hazardous chemical in the form of a combustible dust is present in a quantity and form that would result in a hazardous area.
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
Also called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), is a technique to identify the hazards and risks of specific tasks in order to reduce the risk of injury to workers.
Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
In relation to high-risk construction work, is a safe work method statement mentioned in section 299 of the WHS Regulation.
UQ Workers
For the purposes of this Procedure includes:
• staff - continuing, fixed-term, research (contingent funded) and casual staff;
• contractors, subcontractors and consultants working under UQ systems and control (e.g. contingent workers);
• visiting academics and researchers;
• academic title holders, visiting academics, emeritus professors, adjunct and honorary title-holders, industry fellows and conjoint appointments;
• higher degree by research students; and
• volunteers and students undertaking work experience.
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